Trump admin probes LA welfare program over whether it’s paying welfare to illegal immigrants
The Trump administration has initiated an investigation into a welfare program in Los Angeles County that pays immigrants up to $18,000 per year, alleging that it is providing federal benefits to illegal aliens. The focus of the probe is on LA’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI), which was established by California to provide financial support to seniors or disabled individuals who are not eligible for Social Security benefits due to their immigration status. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has requested records of all participants in the program in LA County.
While the exact number of individuals enrolled in the program in LA County is not immediately clear, there are approximately 16,500 people statewide who are part of CAPI. California asserts that the program is funded solely by state funds and is not typically accessible to undocumented individuals.
CAPI aims to assist elderly, blind, or disabled immigrants with legal status in the US. The program provides around $1,100 per month for most qualifying elderly or disabled individuals, $1,900 per month for couples, and nearly $1,500 per month for nursing home care.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem criticized California’s “radical leftist politicians” for prioritizing illegal aliens over citizens through the program. She stated that the investigation in Los Angeles County is just the beginning and warned illegal immigrants to leave as the “gravy train is over.”
As part of the investigation, DHS is requesting all records from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services to determine if ineligible illegal aliens have received federally-funded Social Security benefits since the start of the Biden administration in January 2021. This includes applicants’ information, immigration status, proof of ineligibility for Social Security, and supporting affidavits for each application.
In fiscal year 2024, over 2 million illegal immigrants received Social Security Numbers, according to DHS. President Trump recently signed an executive order directing cabinet members to prevent ineligible illegal aliens from receiving Social Security funds and to prioritize enforcement actions against states or localities for potential violations of federal law.
